The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has rejected the progress report submitted by the Punjab government regarding the Jaranwala incident, deeming it as “worth throwing in the trash.” The chief justice made these remarks during the hearing of a case concerning the rights of minorities, where the provincial government of Punjab presented its progress report on the incident.
The Jaranwala incident, which occurred on August 16, involved a charged crowd vandalizing several churches and setting numerous houses on fire in the industrial district of Faisalabad. This violence ensued after clerics made announcements in mosques, inciting the mob to attack the Christian community under alleged allegations of blasphemy. Paramilitary troops were deployed to control the violence and restore order.
Chief Justice Isa expressed his dismay after reviewing the progress report, stating, “I feel ashamed after seeing the report about the Jaranwala incident.” He questioned the additional advocate general for Punjab about the timeline of the incident and the progress made in apprehending the perpetrators. The response indicated that 22 cases were registered, 304 people were arrested, and 18 out of the 22 FIR challans had been collected in six months, prompting sarcastic remarks from the chief justice.
Chief Justice Isa also criticized the response of authorities to the incident, questioning why Pakistanis often raise concerns about Islamophobia in other countries while neglecting similar issues within their nation. He emphasized the need to address such incidents effectively and prevent the mistreatment of minorities, highlighting the importance of upholding the principles of justice and tolerance.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Faisalabad, who was investigating the Jaranwala incident, mentioned that the desecration of the Holy Quran occurred early in the morning, leading to a violent reaction from the Muslim community in the neighborhood.
Following the brutal incident, the interim Punjab government initiated a high-level inquiry to investigate the burning and demolition of properties belonging to the local Christian community in Jaranwala.
